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Half-Ogres

The same wild frontiers that produce half-orcs from unions between tribes of human and orc barbarians also produce half-ogres. Ogres and humans fight in times of war and trade in times of peace. In peaceful times, ogres value humans’ intelligence and adaptability, while humans value ogres’ strength and toughness. Half-ogres inherit a blend of the physical characteristics of their parents. They may be found in either parent’s community (where their status varies according to local sentiment).

Half-ogres are generally low in intelligence but quick to anger. Where a half-orc understands alternatives to action, half-ogres do not. Successful half-ogres are those with enough self-control to live in a civilized land. Half-ogres love simple pleasures such as feasting, drinking, boasting, wrestling, drumming, and wild dancing. While some claim to be able to sing, few other races would agree. A half-ogre is likely to assume that refined enjoyments such as poetry, courtly dancing, and philosophy are just tools for making fun of him.

Half-ogres are taller than humans or half-orcs, but not as tall as ogres. Adults are typically
closer to the height and weight of an ogre than of a human. Their skin color ranges from dull yellow to dull brown. Their thick hides sport patches of dark, warty bumps, and their heads are topped by a mop of dark hair.

Because they are the offspring of giants, half-ogres have a rough time getting along with dwarves and gnomes. Of course, ogres are rarely on good terms with elves, humans, or halflings either. On the other hand, they understand the prejudice that half-orcs experience and relate well to them.

A half-ogre seeks a way to gain acceptance from those who hate or fear his ogre cousins. Most exploit their innate toughness so that others have no choice but to accept them, whether out of admiration or fear. A few demonstrate piety and good-heartedness as publicly as they can (whether or not such displays are genuine).

Half-Ogres in Azolin

Half-ogres have no lands of their own, living among ogres or humans depending on their
circumstances and the tolerance of the locals.

Alignment

Half-ogres inherit a tendency toward chaos from their ogre parents, but, like their human parents, they favor neither good nor evil. Half-ogres raised among ogres and willing to live out their lives with them, however, tend toward evil.

Religion

Like ogres, evil half-ogres worship Vaprak the Destroyer. The rapacious Vaprak is a chaotic evil deity of combat, destruction, aggression, frenzy, and greed. His domains include Chaos, Destruction, Evil, and War, and his favored weapon is the greatclub. Half-ogre barbarians and fighters revere him as a war god even if they are not evil themselves. Erythnul also numbers ogres and half-ogres among his followers. Worshipers of Vaprak or Erythnul who are tired of explaining themselves, or who don’t want to give other races yet another reason to distrust them, simply don’t make their religion public knowledge. Half-ogres who want to solidify their connection to their human heritage follow human deities, and they may be outspoken in their shows of piety.

Language

Half-ogres tend to speak Jotun or Ogren, with the occasional Common if living close to areas of tolerant civilizations.

Names

A half-ogre typically chooses a name that helps him make a specific impression. If he wants to fit in among humans, he chooses a human name. If he wants to intimidate others, he chooses a
guttural ogre name. A half-ogre raised entirely by humans has a human given name, but he might choose another name once he is away from his hometown. Some half-ogres, of course, are not quite bright enough to choose a name this carefully. Ogre names are similar enough to orc names
that players may choose from the orc lists when making their characters.

Adventurers

Half-ogres living among humans are drawn almost invariably toward violent careers in which they can put their strength to good use. Frequently shunned from polite company, half-ogres find acceptance and friendship among adventurers, many of whom are fellow wanderers and outsiders.